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Strawberry compote is one of those simple recipes that can turn everyday dishes into something special. It’s basically fresh strawberries cooked down with a bit of sugar and lemon juice until they get all saucy and sweet.

If you’ve got some berries on hand, it’s a great way to use them up and add a delicious topping to pancakes, yogurt, or ice cream.

Recipe Info

Sweet and tangy: This compote perfectly balances the natural sweetness of strawberries with a touch of lemon juice for a fresh, slightly tart kick.
Perfect topping: It’s a quick and simple fruity addition for pancakes, ice cream, desserts, overnight oats, chia puddings, and more. Think of it as your new favorite kitchen sidekick!
Quick and easy: You can whip this up in about 15 minutes with basic kitchen tools—no fancy gadgets needed.

Making strawberry compote for the first time? Read the ingredients notes, step-by-step instructions, and tips. If you’re familiar with the recipe, feel free to jump to the recipe card.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Strawberries: Fresh or frozen strawberries both work well. Just remember frozen strawberries will become softer and saucier after cooking.
Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the tartness of the strawberries.
Lemon juice: Enhances the flavor by adding a subtle brightness. Almost a most when working with strawberries.
Cornstarch: Used as a thickener to give the compote a nice, syrupy consistency. Optional, but not required.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Strawberry Compote

Prep Strawberries: If using fresh strawberries, wash them gently, hull out the green tops, and chop into bite-sized pieces. If using frozen strawberries, add them directly to a saucepan. Defrost on low heat with a splash of water, stirring often, then chop them with a knife or fork in the pot so there aren’t any large pieces left.
Add Sugar and Cook: Sprinkle the sugar over the strawberries and stir. Turn the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to bubble, lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes, until the strawberries are softened and juicy.

Adding the sugar — Combine strawberries, sugar, and a little water. Cook over

Cooking the strawberry compote — Combine strawberries, sugar, and a little water. Cook over

Thicken: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth. Pour about half of this slurry into the pot while stirring continuously. Keep cooking until the compote thickens. If you want it thicker, add more slurry gradually, stirring well each time.

Cornstarch and water — Combine cornstarch and water in a

Making slurry — Combine cornstarch and water in a

Adjust Flavor: Stir in the lemon juice, then taste your compote. If it’s not sweet or tart enough, add a bit more sugar or lemon juice to nail the flavor.
Serve or Cool and Store: Remove the pot from heat. You can use the compote warm right away, or let it cool to room temperature and refrigerate it in a sealed container.

Spoonful of sweet strawberry compote — Once the flavor is spot on, take off heat. Serve immediately or cool and store in the fridge

Tips

Skip cornstarch for pure flavor boost. If you want a super intense strawberry flavor, try cooking the compote without cornstarch, letting the water evaporate until it thickens naturally. Just be ready for softer berries.
Cooking time depends on the amount of strawberries. The more strawberries in the pot, the longer they’ll take to soften. Don’t rush the simmer when you’re working with large batches.

A glass jar of rich and fruity strawberry compote

Adjustment if using frozen berries. Because frozen strawberries release a lot more liquid, expect to use roughly twice as much sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch to get the same flavor balance and texture.
Cool with a lid off for thicker compote. Letting the compote cool uncovered allows extra moisture to evaporate, resulting in a thicker sauce once it’s at room temperature.

Storage

Strawberry compote keeps best in the fridge for 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Make sure it’s sealed tightly to keep it fresh and tasty.

Homemade strawberry compote in a jar — Homemade strawberry compote in a glass jar

Recipes to Try

Looking for more? Check out the following recipes:

Cherry Compote. Looking for a different berry twist? This rich cherry syrup adds a liqueur-worthy depth to desserts and breakfast dishes.
Strawberry Curd. If you want something richer and creamier, this buttery curd with lemon zest and eggs makes a velvety spread perfect for cakes or waffles.
Overnight Oats 101. Want a fuss-free, customizable make-ahead breakfast? These oats are ready when you are and ideal for topping with your strawberry compote.
Chia Pudding 101. Another creamy, customizable no-cook breakfast. It pairs beautifully with strawberry compote for a fresh and satisfying start.